Topic : Spanking: Useful or Cruel?

There is a big difference between hitting, slapping and smacking, and spanking.  When the words slapping or smacking are used the action is usually perceived to be an open handed blow to the face.  If I were going to hit someone my soul purpose would be to inflict pain usually closed fist.  Children hitting each other is usually to get the toy the other has or something to that effect.  Spanking is a disciplinary action for the meaty part of the butt open handed and shouldn't leave a mark, it shouldn't be done in anger (you wouldn't slap someone out of anything other than anger).   

You know, the more replies I read from people who believe spanking actually works, the more I am convinced that parenting should be licensed by the government because these kids usually grow up to be social problems later on-and we have to pay for that. 

Again, look at Europe.  Spanking is illegal and lower juvenile crime rate than U.S. 

I am so sorry Jim.  I didn't realize I sounded agressive nor did I realize your were talking about something completely different.  You were abused, not spanked.  I would say to you to please do not spank your children.  It takes a very self controlled person to spank a child.  If at any moment a person loses his self control and starts slapping or smacking then I would say don't even try to spank.  As we all know so often the abused becomes the abuser and for you to rise above that is wonderful.   

As far as the idiot thing, I took offense because you said anyone who spanks their child is either and idiot or lazy - I spanked my children and I am neither.   

To the lady with the screaming 2 yr old - been there done that.  I never spanked my kids in public because I don't believe in humilating anyone especially my child - but if I saw you in the store with that screaming child, I'd smile and say I feel for you.  When I gave examples I was talking about the restaurant where the kid is running back and forth and all the wait staff are gritting their teeth?  That child needs scooped up, taken to the restroom and told you will behave and sit in your seat like a big boy or the next time I take you to the restroom you will get a spanking.  Then theres the kid in church who is running back and forth across the pew while the parent just shakes their head?  I raised my 3 in church, twice on Sunday and then midweek - I brought them coloring books and little toys, a small snack and the evening service I brought them in their pajamas!  A tired child is like a wild animal, there is no point in spanking a tired child, they are beyond understanding anything!  All you can to is put them to bed.